Dr. Mordecai M. Kaplan, founder of the Reconstructionist movement in American Judaism, retired today from active teaching on the faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Dr. Louis Finkelstein, Seminary chancellor, announced that Dr. Kaplan has been appointed professor emeritus in the rabbinical department, in response to his “expressed wish to retire from teaching after an association of almost 70 years with the Seminary. “

Dr. Kaplan, who recently celebrated his 83rd birthday, now plans to do research into Reconstructionism, and to work for its promulgation. He entered the Seminary in 1893, and was graduated as a rabbi in 1902. Seven years later, he returned as principal of the Teachers Institute. His most recent faculty post was that of professor of philosophies of religion.